196,605 research outputs found
Erectile and Ejaculatory Dysfunction Associated with Use of Psychotropic Drugs: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground: Sexual dysfunction may be a side effect of treatment with antipsychotics, antidepressants, and other psychotropic drugs. Aim: To review the evidence concerning male sexual dysfunctions in patients taking psychotropic drugs to provide specific information to nonpsychiatric physicians for the management of these dysfunctions. Methods: A systematic search of Medline and Embase databases was performed up to October 15th, 2020. We included randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of psychotropic drugs versus placebo or versus another drug of the same class, for at least 5 weeks. Outcomes: We considered studies whose male population could be evaluated separately from the female population and with a separate analysis of the different phases of the male sex cycle. Results: We included 41 studies in the final review. There was a significant association between sexual dysfunction and antidepressant drug therapy, compared to placebo (decreased libido OR 1.89, 95% CI:1.40 to 2.56, 22 series, 11 trials, 7706 participants; erectile dysfunction OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.31 to 3.97; 11 trials, 3008 participants; ejaculatory dysfunction OR = 7.31, 95% CI: 4.38 to 12.20,19 trials, 3973 participants). When the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were evaluated separately from those of serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), the use of SNRIs but not that of SSRIs was characterized by significantly higher odds of erectile dysfunction compared to placebo. Only limited data were found regarding the effects of antipsychotics on the phases of the male sexual cycle, as it was shown that aripiprazole and risperidone showed lower and higher odds for erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, respectively, compared to other atypical antipsychotics. Clinical Implications: Treatment of male sexual dysfunction in patients taking psychotropics requires a basic knowledge of the different drugs that affect sexual function with different mechanisms. Strengths & Limitations: The effects of psychotropic drugs on erectile function and ejaculation were evaluated separately. The great variability of the mechanisms of action makes it difficult to make comparisons between the effects of the different classes of psychotropic drugs. Conclusions: Administration of antipsychotics affects male sexual function with different mechanisms, although the increase in prolactin values associated with the administration of first-generation antipsychotics and some atypical, such as risperidone, seems to play a primary role in determining male sexual dysfunction. Most antidepressants cause decreased libido, ejaculatory and erectile dysfunction, however the administration of SNRIs appears to be possibly associated with a specific risk of erectile dysfunction. Trinchieri M, Trinchieri M, Perletti G, et al. Erectile and Ejaculatory Dysfunction Associated with Use of Psychotropic Drugs: A Systematic Review. J Sex Med 2021;18:1354–1363
Realizzazione dei piezometri nel campo geotermico sperimentale del C.R. ENEA-Casaccia e misure di conducibilità tecnica
No full textL’attività descritta in questo report è parte del progetto di ricerca, relativo al Piano Triennale di realizzazione 2022-2024 della Ricerca di Sistema Elettrico Nazionale, linea di attività 1.7 “Tecnologie per la penetrazione efficiente del vettore elettrico negli usi finali”. Nello specifico, l’attività in oggetto è la L.A. 4.1 (WP4). Nel primo anno e mezzo di attività sono stati realizzati due fori attrezzati a piezometri, per monitorare temperatura e livello dell’acqua di falda nel campo geotermico realizzato nel 2021, costituito da 4 pozzi a diversa profondità (da 35 a 85 m), a circuito chiuso e con configurazione a doppia U (cfr. RT/2023/23/ENEA). Le due perforazioni (PZ1 e PZ2), profonde 45 m, sono state eseguite a carotaggio continuo nel marzo 2023. Di ogni litotipo è stato estrapolato il valore del coefficiente di permeabilità e di porosità efficace. È stata determinata la portata unitaria attraverso i diversi strati, tenuto conto della permeabilità del litotipo e del gradiente idraulico effettivamente calcolato. Inoltre, sono state caratterizzate le litologie attraversate in ogni foro ed è stata effettuata la correlazione litostratigrafica tra i due siti. Misurazioni dirette di conducibilità termica sono state eseguite, all’atto del recupero, sulle carote dei sondaggi PZ1 e PZ2, in condizioni sostanzialmente indisturbate. I valori sono stati confrontati con le misure effettuate in laboratorio sulle carote del sondaggio geognostico S1 (corrispondente al pozzo 1 del campo geotermico) correlando le successioni litostratigrafiche fino alla profondità di 45 m. Da 45 a 85 m sono stati considerati i valori di conducibilità termica media misurati in laboratorio sui campioni del sondaggio S1. Su tutti i campioni dei sondaggi S1, PZ1 e PZ2 sono stati calcolati densità e calore specifico, con l’intento di utilizzare tali valori nelle future fasi di modellizzazione termica del campo geosonde. I dati rilevati ogni 12 ore dai piezometri hanno permesso di definire la quota del livello statico della falda acquifera e di registrarne le variazioni in funzione della pluviometria.The activity described in this report is part of the research project, related to the 2022-2024 ThreeYear Implementation Plan of the National Electricity System Research, activity line 1.7 “Tecnologie per la penetrazione efficiente del vettore elettrico negli usi finali”. Specifically, this activity is L.A. 4.1 (WP4). In the first year and a half of activity, two boreholes equipped with piezometers were drilled, to monitor temperature and groundwater level in the geothermal field constructed in 2021 and consisting of 4 boreholes at different depths (from 35 to 85 m), with a closed circuit and a double U configuration (see RT/2023/23/ENEA). The two 45 m deep boreholes (PZ1 and PZ2) were drilled by continuous coring in March 2023. The value of the permeability coefficient and effective porosity was extrapolated for each lithotype. The unit flow rate through the different layers was determined, considering the permeability of the lithotype and the effectively calculated hydraulic gradient. In addition, the lithologies crossed in each borehole were characterised and the lithostratigraphic correlation between the two sites was carried out. Direct measurements of thermal conductivity were carried out, upon recovery, on the cores of boreholes PZ1 and PZ2 under substantially undisturbed conditions. The values were compared with laboratory measurements on the cores of geognostic survey S1 (corresponding to borehole 1 of the geothermal field) by correlating the lithostratigraphic successions up to a depth of 45 m. From 45 to 85 m, the mean thermal conductivity values measured in the laboratory on the S1 samples were considered. Density and specific heat were calculated on all samples from S1, PZ1 and PZ2, to use these values in future thermal modelling of the geosonde field. The data collected every 12 hours from the piezometers made it possible to define the static level of the aquifer and to record its variations as a function of the rainfall
The heat-pump market in Italy: An in-depth economic study about the reasons for a still unexpressed potential
No full textIn this paper, the Italian heat-pump (HP) market is presented, with an overview over the past 10 years. In order to highlight market potential and barriers, a comparison is proposed between the economic performances of two different heating and domestic hot-water systems, air-to-water HPs and condensing boilers, based on several factors, such as energy costs, thermal loads, climatic conditions, HP-performance classes and some economic indicators such as the payback time and the interest rate. The results are presented in a parametric form, which may be profitably used for a comparative analysis with other European countries. The first part of the paper deals with the analysis of the current Italian HP market, to show its still unexpressed potential. The second part analyses the HP economic convenience with respect to the most commonly used heating technology, i.e. the gas boiler, under conditions typical of the Italian climate. The comparison is carried out in terms of two economic indicators: additional acceptable cost and net present value. The main results show that HP technology is economically competitive in most Italian climatic zones, with a strong dependence on the HP-performance class. In particular, if the best-performing class was adopted, economic gains would be guaranteed over the gas boiler, even with significant variations in the main influencing variables. Thus, the economic issue does not seem to be a limiting factor for HP technology diffusion, at least if the current incentives are maintained. Rather, some other barriers should be removed, such as the supply chain, the training of installation personnel and the final-user awareness
Urinary side effects of psychotropic drugs : a systematic review and metanalysis
No full textObjective: To evaluate the effects of psychotropic drugs on bladder function.
Materials and methods: A systematic review was carried out by searching PubMed and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials enrolling patients treated with psychotropic drugs with available information on treatment-related urinary disorders.
Results: A total of 52 studies was selected. In antidepressant therapy, bladder voiding symptoms, rather than storage symptoms, were more frequently observed. Pooled analysis demonstrated a higher odds ratio (OR) of voiding disorders in comparison with placebo (OR: 3.30; confidence interval [CI]: 1.90-5.72; 7856 participants; p < 0.001). Odds for voiding dysfunction was higher for tricyclic antidepressants and for Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) when compared to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Treatment with antipsychotics was associated with heterogeneous urinary disorders including emptying and storage disorders. OR for incontinence in patients with dementia taking antipsychotics was higher than placebo (OR: 4.09; CI: 1.71-9.79, p = 0.002) with no difference between different atypical antipsychotics. Rate of voiding disorders was not different between conventional and atypical antipsychotics (OR: 1.64; CI: 0.79-3.39, p = 0.19), although quetiapine showed higher odds to cause voiding dysfunction than other atypical antipsychotics (OR: 2.14; CI: 1.41-3.26; p > 0.001).
Conclusions: In patients taking tricyclic antidepressants or SNRIs, bladder voiding disorders, could be the side effects of therapy rather than symptoms of a urological disease. Patients treated with these drugs should be actively monitored for the appearance of urinary symptoms. Antipsychotic treatment is associated with various urinary side effects requiring a tailored approach
Studio preliminare di fattibilità e dimensionamento di massima di un impianto geotermico sperimentale a bassa entalpia integrato con pompa di calore
No full textQuesto Rapporto descrive le attività svolte durante la prima annualità del Piano Triennale di realizzazione 2019-2021 della Ricerca di Sistema Elettrico Nazionale, riguardanti la linea di attività 1.7 denominata “Tecnologie per la penetrazione efficiente del vettore elettrico negli usi finali”. Lo studio in oggetto è stato anzitutto indirizzato alla ricostruzione dell’assetto litologico-stratigrafico e idrogeologico dell’area del C.R. ENEA-Casaccia, attraverso il reperimento sistematico e la consultazione di tutti i dati di letteratura disponibili e delle stratigrafie dei sondaggi geognostici effettuati nel C.R. Casaccia. La valutazione geologica ha permesso inoltre di estrapolare il valore di conducibilità termica delle rocce presenti nell’area e di individuare il sito in cui insisterà il sistema di approvvigionamento del calore dal terreno, utilizzando sonde geotermiche verticali accoppiate a una pompa di calore (PdC) acqua-acqua. Successivamente, è stata condotta una simulazione dei carichi termici assumendo come target, per la sorgente terreno, la climatizzazione di un ufficio (con superficie di 140 m2 circa, situato nell’edificio F40 del C.R. Casaccia, adiacente al campo geosonde). Tramite un software dedicato è stato possibile dimensionare le sonde inserendo i valori dei carichi di picco invernali ed estivi. Si prevede di realizzare 4 pozzi, profondi rispettivamente 35 m, 50 m, 80 m e 100 m. Il campo geosonde sarà dotato di un sistema di controllo mediante fibre ottiche impiantate direttamente all’interno dei tubi in polietilene, al fine di monitorare costantemente i valori termometrici all’interno di ogni pozzo e quindi definire il campo termico, la sua evoluzione nell’arco delle stagioni, e non ultimo l’efficienza del sistema sonde-terreno nel tempo. Infine, è stato stimato il valore della potenza termica estratta durante l’inverno e stoccata in estate, il consumo energetico della pompa di calore e le emissioni di CO2 e NOX.This Report deals with the activities carried out during the first year of the 2019-2021 Three-Year Implementation Plan for National Electricity System Research, concerning line 1.7 “Tecnologie per la penetrazione efficiente del vettore elettrico negli usi finali”. First, this study was aimed at reconstructing the lithological-stratigraphic and hydrogeological structure of the area of the ENEA-Casaccia Research Centre, through the systematic retrieval and consultation of all the available literature data and the stratigraphies of the geognostic drillings carried out at the C.R. Casaccia. The geological assessment also allowed the extrapolation of the thermal conductivity value of the rocks in the area and to identify the site where the ground heat supply system will be installed, using vertical geothermal probes coupled with a water-water heat pump (HP). Subsequently, a simulation of thermal loads was conducted, assuming as the target, for the ground source, the air conditioning of an office (with a surface area of approximately 140 m2, located in building F40 of C.R. Casaccia, adjacent to the geothermal probe field). Using dedicated software, it was possible to size the probes by entering the winter and summer peak load values. Four boreholes are planned: 35 m, 50 m, 80 m and 100 m deep, respectively. The geothermal probe field will be equipped with a control system using optical fibres implanted directly inside the polyethylene pipes, to constantly monitor the thermometric values inside each well and thus define the thermal field, its evolution over the seasons, and not least the efficiency of the probe-soil system over time. Finally, the value of the thermal power extracted in winter and stored in summer, the energy consumption of the HP and CO2 and NOX emissions were estimated
Identification and characterization of a novel Ets-2-related nuclear complex implicated in the activation of the human interleukin-12 p40 gene promoter.
No full textInterleukin-12 (IL-12) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells in response to many microbial infections. IL-12 plays an important role in the generation of T helper type-1 cells, which favor cell-mediated immune response. IL-12 is composed of two different subunits, p40 and p35, whose expression can be regulated concomitantly or differentially. Monocytic cells, the major producers of IL-12, can be primed by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) to produce optimal amounts of IL-12 in response to LPS stimulation as a consequence of bacterial infection. The priming effect is exerted primarily at the transcriptional level on the p40 promoter in conjunction with the effects of LPS, possibly by inducing specific transcription factors, which individually have no direct effect but which cooperatively can activate the promoter. We examined in detail one of these DNA-protein interactions observed around an Ets-2 element situated at -211/-207 of the p40 promoter, which is known to be a functionally critical site. This region interacts with a nuclear complex termed F1 that appears to be highly inducible by either IFN-gamma treatment for 16 h or lipopolysaccharide stimulation for 8 h. F1 binding to the Ets-2 site requires a considerable amount of spacing around the Ets-2 site, as revealed by gel mobility shift and in vitro methylation assays. Supershift experiments and DNA affinity purification indicated that both Ets-2 and a novel, antigenically related protein with an approximate molecular mass of 109 kDa are part of the F1 complex, together with additional components including IRF-1 and c-Rel. This novel protein is designated GLp109 for its inducibility by IFN-gamma or lipopolysaccharide. Its possible role in the activation of the IL-12 p40 promoter is discussed
Erectile and Ejaculatory Dysfunction Associated with Use of Psychotropic Drugs: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground
Sexual dysfunction may be a side effect of treatment with antipsychotics, antidepressants, and other psychotropic drugs.
Aim
To review the evidence concerning male sexual dysfunctions in patients taking psychotropic drugs to provide specific information to nonpsychiatric physicians for the management of these dysfunctions.
Methods
A systematic search of Medline and Embase databases was performed up to October 15th, 2020. We included randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of psychotropic drugs versus placebo or versus another drug of the same class, for at least 5 weeks.
Outcomes
We considered studies whose male population could be evaluated separately from the female population and with a separate analysis of the different phases of the male sex cycle.
Results
We included 41 studies in the final review. There was a significant association between sexual dysfunction and antidepressant drug therapy, compared to placebo (decreased libido OR 1.89, 95% CI:1.40 to 2.56, 22 series, 11 trials, 7706 participants; erectile dysfunction OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.31 to 3.97; 11 trials, 3008 participants; ejaculatory dysfunction OR = 7.31, 95% CI: 4.38 to 12.20,19 trials, 3973 participants). When the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were evaluated separately from those of serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), the use of SNRIs but not that of SSRIs was characterized by significantly higher odds of erectile dysfunction compared to placebo. Only limited data were found regarding the effects of antipsychotics on the phases of the male sexual cycle, as it was shown that aripiprazole and risperidone showed lower and higher odds for erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, respectively, compared to other atypical antipsychotics.
Clinical Implications
Treatment of male sexual dysfunction in patients taking psychotropics requires a basic knowledge of the different drugs that affect sexual function with different mechanisms.
Strengths & Limitations
The effects of psychotropic drugs on erectile function and ejaculation were evaluated separately. The great variability of the mechanisms of action makes it difficult to make comparisons between the effects of the different classes of psychotropic drugs.
Conclusions
Administration of antipsychotics affects male sexual function with different mechanisms, although the increase in prolactin values associated with the administration of first-generation antipsychotics and some atypical, such as risperidone, seems to play a primary role in determining male sexual dysfunction. Most antidepressants cause decreased libido, ejaculatory and erectile dysfunction, however the administration of SNRIs appears to be possibly associated with a specific risk of erectile dysfunction
Realizzazione dell'impianto geotermico sperimentale a bassa entalpia presso il C.R. ENEA-Casaccia (Roma)
No full textQuesto Rapporto descrive le attività svolte nell’ambito del Piano Triennale di realizzazione 2019-2021 della Ricerca di Sistema Elettrico Nazionale, riguardanti la L.A. 1.7 “Tecnologie per la penetrazione efficiente del vettore elettrico negli usi finali”. Si pone, pertanto, in diretta continuità con il Rapporto tecnico “Studio preliminare di fattibilità e dimensionamento di massima di un impianto geotermico sperimentale a bassa entalpia integrato con pompa di calore” (RT/2023/2/ENEA). Nel corso del primo semestre del 2021 è stato realizzato il campo geosonde con l’installazione di sonde geotermiche verticali, a circuito chiuso e configurazione a doppia U, in quattro pozzi a diversa profondità ubicati nell’area adiacente l’edificio F40, all’interno del C.R. ENEA-Casaccia. Il pozzo 1 è stato realizzato a carotaggio continuo, fino alla profondità di 100 m, per ricavare e caratterizzare i litotipi lungo la successione stratigrafica. Le sonde geotermiche sono state installate soltanto fino a 70 m di profondità a causa di sgrottamenti delle sabbie a fondo foro. Sempre nel pozzo 1 è stato condotto il Ground Response Test per definire la temperatura indisturbata del terreno, la conducibilità termica media delle rocce e la resistenza termica delle sonde. Le perforazioni degli altri tre pozzi sono state eseguite a distruzione di nucleo. Contestualmente alla messa in posa delle sonde geotermiche, nei pozzi sono state inserite le fibre ottiche di tipo Distributed Temperature Sensor per acquisire la temperatura lungo l’intero pozzo con una risoluzione termica di 0,1 °C e una risoluzione spaziale di 2 metri. Inoltre, sono state definite le caratteristiche del circuito idraulico, in termini di portata distribuita tra le sonde e di perdite di carico distribuite e concentrate. È stato infine concepito lo schema funzionale tipo e redatto il computo metrico dell’impianto.This Report deals with the activities carried out in the framework of the 2019-2021 Three-Year Implementation Plan for National Electricity System Research, concerning line 1.7 “Tecnologie per la penetrazione efficiente del vettore elettrico negli usi finali”. It is, therefore, the follow-up to the technical report “Studio preliminare di fattibilità e dimensionamento di massima di un impianto geotermico sperimentale a bassa entalpia integrato con pompa di calore” (RT/2023/2/ENEA). During the first half of 2021, the borehole heat exchange field was realised with the installation of vertical closed-circuit geothermal probes, in a double-U configuration, in four boreholes at different depths located in the area adjacent to building F40, inside the C.R. ENEA-Casaccia. Well 1 was drilled with continuous coring to a depth of 100 m to extract and characterise the lithotypes along the stratigraphic succession. The geothermal probes were only installed up to a depth of 70 m due to the instability of the sands at the bottom of the hole. In well 1, the Ground Response Test was also performed to determine the undisturbed soil temperature, average rock thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of the probes. The drilling of the other three wells was performed at core destruction. Together with the installation of the geothermal probes, Distributed Temperature Sensor optical fibres were inserted in the wells to acquire the temperature along the entire well with a thermal resolution of 0.1 °C and a spatial resolution of 2 metres. Furthermore, the characteristics of the hydraulic circuit were defined, in terms of flow rate distributed between the probes, and distributed and concentrated pressure drops. Finally, the standard functional scheme was conceived, and the metric calculation of the system was drawn u
Motive flow calculation through ejectors for transcritical CO2 heat pumps. Comparison between new experimental data and predictive methods
No full textThe revival of CO2 as refrigerant is due to new restrictions in the use of current refrigerants in developed countries, as consequence of environmental policy agreements. An optimal design of each part is necessary to overcome the possible penalty in performance, and the use of ejectors instead of throttling valves can improve the performance. Especially for applications as CO2 HPs for space heating, the use of ejectors has been little investigated. The data collected in a cooperation project between ENEA (C.R. Casaccia) and Federico II University of Naples have been used to experimentally characterize several ejectors in terms of motive mass flow rate, both in transcritical CO2 conditions and not. A statistical comparison is presented in order to assess the reliability of predictive methods available in the open literature for choked flow conditions. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd
CXO J004318.8+412016*A steady supersoft X-ray source in M 31
No full textWe obtained an optical spectrum of a star we identify as the optical counterpart of the M31 Chandra source CXO J004318.8+412016, because of prominent emission lines of the Balmer series, of neutral helium, and a He II line at 4686 Å. The continuum energy distribution and the spectral characteristics demonstrate the presence of a red giant of K or earlier spectral type, so we concluded that the binary is likely to be a symbiotic system. CXO J004318.8+412016 has been observed in X-rays as a luminous supersoft source (SSS) since 1979, with effective temperature exceeding 40 eV and variable X-ray luminosity, oscillating between a few times 1035 erg s-1 and a few times 1037 erg s-1 in the space of a few weeks. The optical, infrared and ultraviolet colours of the optical object are consistent with an an accretion disc around a compact object companion, which may be either a white dwarf or a black hole, depending on the system parameters. If the origin of the luminous supersoft X-rays is the atmosphere of a white dwarf that is burning hydrogen in shell, it is as hot and luminous as post-thermonuclear flash novae, yet no major optical outburst has ever been observed, suggesting that the white dwarf is very massive (m ≥ 1.2 M⊙) and it is accreting and burning at the high rate m > 10-8 M⊙ yr-1 expected for Type Ia supernovae progenitors. In this case, the X-ray variability may be due to a very short recurrence time of only mildly degenerate thermonuclear flashes.Fil: Orio, Marina. Osservatorio Astronomico Di Padova; Italia. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Luna, Gerardo Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Kotulla, R.. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Gallager, J. S.. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Zampieri, L.. Osservatorio Astronomico Di Padova; ItaliaFil: Mikolajewska, J.. Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center Of The Polish Academy Of Sciences; PoloniaFil: Harbeck, D.. Wiyn Observatory; Estados UnidosFil: Bianchini, A.. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Chiosi, E.. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Della Valle, M.. Osservatorio Astronomico Di Capodimonte; ItaliaFil: de Martino, D.. Osservatorio Astronomico Di Capodimonte; ItaliaFil: Kaur, A.. Clemson University; Estados UnidosFil: Mapelli, M.. Osservatorio di Padova; ItaliaFil: Munari, U.. Osservatorio di Padova; ItaliaFil: Odendaal, A.. University of the Free State; SudáfricaFil: Trinchieri, G.. Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera; ItaliaFil: Wade, J.. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Zemko, P.. Università di Padova; Itali
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